News/Business
Bridge work in West Lebanon
A construction crew from Bow, N.H.-based R.S. Audley works to remove the steel superstructure of an Interstate 89 bridge that spans the Connecticut River in West Lebanon on Thursday. The bridge, which previously held southbound traffic, is being...
Forum set on planned move of White River Junction mail sorting
By PATRICK ADRIAN
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The U.S. Postal Service will host a public forum on Tuesday to discuss moving a significant portion of mail sorting operations for Upper Valley communities from White River Junction to Hartford, Conn., as part of a nationwide...
Flavored e-liquid bill clears final legislative hurdle but might not withstand a veto
By PETER D’AURIA
The Vermont Senate on Thursday gave final approval to a bill to ban the sale of flavored e-liquids, nicotine products and menthol-flavored tobacco products.The vote comes on the heels of House passage of the legislation, S.18, last Friday. It now...
Former Valley News publisher challenged newsroom to seek continuous improvement
By ALEX HANSON
John Kuhns arrived at the Valley News at a big moment for the small, busy newspaper.His predecessor as publisher, Willmott “Bin” Lewis, announced in January 1993 that he would step down that spring with Kuhns to replace him. Just before Kuhns started,...
New owners of Sharon’s Midway Station seek to create community hub
By PATRICK ADRIAN
SHARON — The new owners of a former convenience store hope to turn it into a multi-purposed community hub, with a potential to support start-up ventures, special events or social gatherings.Joel Senger, 40, and his wife, Kristin May Senger, 41,...
Lawmakers back several bills benefiting charities, casinos
By ANNMARIE TIMMINS
Lawmakers moved forward last week with bills that would mean significant changes for casino owners and the charities their gaming revenue supports. One would revise rules for gambling tournaments.Here’s the breakdown as the House and Senate near their...
Short-term rental debates pit Upper Valley property owners against neighbors
By LIZ SAUCHELLI
SUNAPEE — At first, Lisa Hoekstra was open to Sunapee’s plans to monitor short-term rentals.Two years ago, she joined the town’s Short-Term Rental Task Force and began brainstorming ideas that she hoped would result in a policy that would be a win-win...
Nonprofit, developer in settlement talks over Lebanon golf course
By JOHN LIPPMAN
LEBANON — One of the longest-running legal battles in the Upper Valley may be drawing to a close. But whether people living near the battlefield will rejoice at the peace is another matter.The nonprofit Carter Community Building Association, operator...
Cannabis legalization bill shaped in part by Sununu has momentum – and critics
By ETHAN DEWITT
New Hampshire’s latest cannabis legalization effort is moving toward familiar territory: approved by the House but with uncertain chances in the Senate.That crossover has historically been perilous; the Senate has consistently voted down cannabis...
Former laundromat demolished for new West Lebanon convenience store
A crew works to demolish the former Kleen laundromat and dry cleaners building on Route 12A in West Lebanon on Thursday. Irving plans to develop the site, along with the adjacent parcel where a defunct Irving gas station was demolished in November, to...
Sanborn’s casino should create a bidding war – if not for its legal problems
By ANNMARIE TIMMINS
In the last 14 months, Chicago gaming entrepreneur Greg Carlin has bought two New Hampshire casinos and is now investing $25 million refurbishing and expanding them. Ocean Gaming Casino overlooks Hampton Beach. The second, under construction, will sit...
A Life: Mary Shatney ‘had become a fixture in White River’
By ALEX HANSON
Sometimes, a patron would come into the Polka Dot Restaurant and ask, “How much is coffee and a doughnut.”Mary Shatney knew what that question meant and would point to an open seat. Often, she’d make a plate of food — eggs, toast and home fries, maybe...
New owners step up to keep Hanover’s Boloco going
By PATRICK ADRIAN
HANOVER — Boloco, a longtime destination for burritos and other Mexican fare, changed hands last week. Boloco’s owner and co-founder John Pepper, of Hanover, finalized a sale on Thursday of the restaurant at 35 S. Main St. to new owners — Conicia “CJ”...
Dartmouth becomes hotbed for union activism
By FRANCES MIZE
HANOVER — In 1966, trade workers at Dartmouth got fed up with their bosses picking favorites and pitting employees against each other.It was time to get organized.Now, Local 560 of the Service Employees International Union represents more than 500...
Recall includes dry-cured pork products sold in Upper Valley stores
By LIZ SAUCHELLI
WEST LEBANON — Products containing dry-cured pork that are sold at Upper Valley grocery stores are among those that have been recalled due to a nationwide Salmonella outbreak.The meat, called Coppa, is produced by Fratelli Beretta, and is sold at...
White River Junction woman gets probation for payroll scheme at Tunbridge tow company
BURLINGTON — A White River Junction woman was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $75,000 in restitution following her guilty plea to defrauding her employer, a Tunbridge towing company, during the time she handled the company’s...
Man pleads guilty to embezzling millions from Lebanon-based investment firm
A man who managed two forestry projects in Guatemala for an Upper Valley investment firm has pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing $10 million from the business.Roberto Montano, of Guatemala, pleaded guilty Monday in Concord to wire fraud under...
Jim Kenyon: Three Tomatoes employees take tip-sharing case to state labor board
By JIM KENYON
Jennifer Kahn is a school secretary by day and a server by night. Four afternoons a week, she leaves Mascoma Valley Regional High School after the final bell and drives to downtown Lebanon, where she works the dinner shift at Three Tomatoes...
West Central Behavioral Health interim CEO discusses workforce challenges
By PATRICK O’GRADY
LEBANON — His title may be preceded by interim but with the pressing challenges of increasing demand for mental health services and the struggle to hire new staff, Alexander J. “AJ” Horvath is being proactive as he guides West Central Behavioral...
Retired Hartford Chamber director, successor discuss leadership transition, priorities
By PATRICK O’GRADY
HARTFORD — Leadership transition in any organization whether private, public or a nonprofit can be a bumpy road for a number of reasons — including a sudden resignation or dismissal, management disputes or a decision to take the organization in a...